I am an English language student, studying for a Bachelor of Education at Dili University.

It was a Blessing from God for me to meet a wonderful group of people from Sydney, Australia called Pittwater Friends of Soibada. They are really eager to help the communities of the Soibada part of the Manatuto district in Timor Leste. This fantastic group is led by Mrs. Tamara Sloper-Harding. A long time ago Tamara met the people of Soibada and began a conversation with the priest of Soibada parish about how the people live and what sorts of things that they could do to help the future of the community. They especially looked at education for children, needs of the youth, health, clean water and agriculture. To that purpose they have built a magnificent relationship between Pittwater and Soibada. ​

As a citizen of Timor Leste, I personally feel so grateful. I became involved in this amazing group as a volunteer translator. I helped them to facilitate the communication between the two communities each trip. It was volunteer work for me but I felt so happy and joyful because it helped me to enhance my knowledge and capacity in translation and it has given me lots of wonderful experiences that I had never had before in my life.

Although this kind of relationship has not happened in my own village, I still feel as if it were my own people that Pittwater Friends of Soibada are helping in Timor Leste. I am really keen to continue contributing to this amazing team if they still need my assistance in the future. Together we could develop the community in Soibada. I have seen that you all give this charity with your heart and a love for Timor Leste. I want to say that it’s very meaningful for me, the way of you guys show your generosity to the communities of Timor Leste and particularly the communities of Soibada.

About me:

My mother and father separated when I was a baby and my Grandmother fostered me. It was my Gandma who brought me up. She is the one that sent me to school. From Primary School through to University. I think of her as if she were my Mum, as I lived with her for most of my life. My mother remarried and had five more children, so I also have younger siblings.

In 2012 I graduated from high school and came to Dili to start University. It was difficult as my grandmother had very little money to support me and pay my University fee. She is getting quite old and lives in a rural area where it is difficult to earn money. I always remember that she told me “never give up your study Amin, things will happen for you if you have the desire and put the effort in”. These words were a big support and gave me great hope that I could become what I am today.

So it was a great blessing that I chose to study English. With this skill I am able to guide tourists from different places, I can translate from English to Tetum for some of the organisations here and this pays for my university fee and my boarding house as well.

I am going to be a teacher one day. I have now finished my theory and hopefully next year I will graduate, Godwilling….!!! ​